Starting a new business can be a rewarding and satisfying experience often bringing you financial independence plus the satisfaction of "being your own boss."
Before you start your business read our "Starting a Business" page and our "Developing a Business Plan." page.  Both of these pages are designed to answer many of your questions and ease your transition into the business world.

  1. Define the financial and personal goals for where you want to be in one, three and five years.
  2. Prepare a feasibility study by doing some preliminary research. Does your new business answer a need for definable and reachable market? Does your business have the potential to meet the personal and financial needs described above?
  3. Prepare a rough draft of your written business plan, including marketing research, marketing plan, management team and financial projections.
  4. Consult an attorney regarding the legal requirements of setting up and operating your business. Among the types of business structures to be considered are sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation and limited liability companies.
  5. Consult an accountant to inform yourself of the financial and tax requirements of setting up and operating your business and to analyze your financial projections.
  6. Develop a strong relationship with a banker, if bank financing is required.
  7. Finalize a written business plan, including capital requirements and create an operations timetable.
  8. Determine the type of financing that best fits your situation and then work to obtain the money you need.
  9. Select and register the name of the business with your state. In Missouri call, (800)523-1434 for a copy of Starting a New Business in Missouri. In Kansas, call the Kansas Dept. of Commerce’s First Stop Clearinghouse at (913)296-5298. To file a Fictitious Name Statement, contact the Secretary of State.
  10. Obtain a state sales tax number and determine other state tax requirements. Contact the Dept. of Revenue in your state. The Kansas Dept. of Revenue has a Taxpayer Assistance Bureau which provides free assistance to new businesses on state tax-related matters. Call (785)296-3059 or write Taxpayer Assistance Bureau, Education Unit, 915 S.W. Harrison Street, 3rd Floor, Topeka, Kansas 66625.
  11. Obtain a Federal Identification Number (Form SS-4). Contact the IRS at (800)829-1040 for a registration form.
  12. Obtain information about federal tax regulations from the IRS, including Publication 334, Tax Guide for Small Business. Call (800)TAX-FORM. Or you can obtain the information over the Internet at
    www.irs.gov
  13. Apply for state worker’s compensation (if required) and unemployment insurance. Contact the Kansas Dept. of Human Resources at (785)296-3441 of the Missouri Division of Worker’s Compensation at (816)889-2481.
  14. Get information about other employment taxes and necessary forms. Call the Social Security Administration at (800)772-1213 or the IRS at (800)829-1040.
  15. Determine what state-level licenses, fees, permits or other regulations pertain to your business. See the Directory of Resources, “Government Regulations and Resources”, on page 95 for the state Dept of Revenue nearest you.
  16. Determine applicable job safety and health regulations. Contact the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA).
  17. Determine applicable environmental regulations. Contact the Environmental Protection Agency or the Kansas Depart of Health and Environment at (800)357-6087 or the Missouri Department of Natural Resources at (800)334-6946.
  18. Apply for a local business license at your city hall. See “Municipal Government Listings” in the white pages of your phone book for city hall contacts.
  19. Analyze your liability exposure and get insurance coverage. Contact the Kansas Dept of Human Services at (785)296-3075 or the Missouri Division of Employment Security at (816)889-3000.
  20. Obtain building permits and check zoning (city and county). See “Municipal Government Listings” in the white pages of the phone book for these contacts.
  21. Set up a business checking account.
  22. Print business cards and letterhead.
  23. Obtain the equipment and supplies you will need.
  24. Have lines installed for telephones, faxes, Internet access.
  25. If you are considering an Internet website to market your business this should be set up before you get your letterhead and business cards printed

To further assist you in starting your business download a copy of the "Starting a New Business" questionaire

To download a copy, place your cursor over the "Starting a New Business" link below and right click your mouse. You can then save the file to your computer.

Download a copy of the "Starting a New Business" questionnaire in PDF format.

The questionaire is in Adobe PDF format. This format requires the use of the Adobe Acrobat Reader to read the document. If you do not have a copy of the Acrobat Reader installed on your computer click on the get Acrobat Reader button to download your copy directly from Adobe.

 

 

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